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EXCLUSIVE: After two-and-a-half seasons, Laurence Fishburne is leaving CSI. The Oscar-nominated actor’s deal on the show was up and he opted not to renew it. He is expected to return to features full-time. It was a major coup for CBS to land Fishburne as a successor to original star William Petersen who left the series in December 2008. But when he last renewed his contract for CSI last May, Fishburne only did it for one season. After ten-and-a-half seasons as CBS’ Thursday 9 PM anchor, CSI is moving to Wednesday 10 PM this fall. I hear CBS and the veteran crime drama’s producers were not surprised by Fishburne’s decision. “Nobody expected him to be on the show for 7 years, it’s Laurence Fishburne,” one insider said. Fishburne will next be seen in Steven Soderbergh’s thriller Contagion. With Fishburne gone and Marg Helgenberger only returning part-time, CSI is in a similar position to another veteran crime procedural, Law & Order: SVU where Chris Meloni left and Mariska Hargitay is coming back but not full-time.
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he will regret this decission. it’s a handsome payday and let’s face it I love LF but it’s not like there is a tremendous amount of roles out there for him. but gods speed & best of luck Sir.
Unless you are his agent or the offerer of roles to middle-aged black men, you might want to refrain from such statements.
@Terrance, Why do idiots like you “ALWAYS” bring in the “race” card?? Dude’s post was NOT about L.F.’s skin color, but exactly what you stated: he’s middle aged, on his way down and over weight. By Hollywood standards, you’re basically unemployable in feature films. So guess what, T.V. is all that’s left. STOP STIRING THE CAULDRON FOOL!
Did you forget about LB’s paychecks from the Matrix films? Since you’re worrying about whether he will eat without CSI, don’t worry, he’s fine.
Love it!! Thanks Mr. Fishburne’s accountant for that laugh, I needed it today! I sure will miss him on CSI but have followed his career for sometime and have been quite satisfactorily entertained all the while. Ray Langston will be missed, hope they give Mr. Fishburne an in to visit the role at a later time.
I thought it was a measured remark and correct,t here aren’t that many role out there in film land for middle aged black men, more’s the pity, but good luck to Mr Fishburne in all his future endeavors, it’s been a treat watching him on TV in CSI.
Really? Have we forgotten Morgan Freeman, who is well past middle-age? The roles are not based solely upon age or race. The content any actor or actress can bring to the role is paramount. I do not recall ever seeing any production in which Mr. Fishburne, Mr. Freeman, or Mr. Samuel L. Jackson, for that matter, played the lead role that was anything short of exceptional.
Laurence Fishburne is one of those great actors, black or white, who will never have trouble finding work in Hollywood.
Here, here, Paul! As long as casting directors continue to cast color-blind… and studio executives count character and performance over skin color, Fishburne will work until his last breath. Lest we forget Apocalypse Now…
I am so sorry to see LF leaving. I thought he brought a new and different dimension to the show. First it was Forest Whitaker’s Criminal Minds Suspect Behavior not being renewed, and now this. Didn’t we go through this before when all African-Americans were taken off prime time shows. All I can say is, I’m glad I have cable!
What a dumb comment. This man (LF) can do better without this role. He is Excellent and you are writing like a 3 years old child. He will go farther and you just watch it. Go play somewhere.
Just want to say, Mr. Fishburn is also a thespian actor. So, he will always have work, whether it is in film or the stage or both. So shut up and think about who is qualified to replace Fishburn/Petersen.
Nobody can replace either Fishburne, Petersen, or Helgenberger.
NOBODY.
I enjoyed Fishburne as Langston; sad to see him leave; him and Nick were developing good relationship; as well as with doc; both Fishburne and peterson filled their respective roles quite well; who could come in as new character? I don’t know.
You (gratefully) are sadly mistaken. Don’t think because you don’t see an actor on television or in a movie, that they aren’t working. He’s been acting and in demand since he was 14 yrs old. He’ll be fine.
Nice post – and I couldn’t agree more, but perhaps his abilities will land him more roles in movies such as Contagion.
My suggestion: get William Petersen back onto the show at least part time and announce that this will be the show’s last season. With Marg Helgenberger threatening to leave anyway, it’s just plain time to go.
I agree with the first part of your comment – get William Petersen back. Those final episodes with him were NOT closure.
Do advertisers complain when networks sell at rates based on stars being there and then later announce major changes?
Thank you, thank you. The best news ever. My happiness would be complete if billy petersen would return in some capacity.
Please kill his very annoying character off horribly.
Matrix 4 – here we go!
good riddance the show sucked with him maybe now they can try and get the show back to when it was good
Bring back William Petersen now if you want the show to survive. Sorry, but Sarah and Catherine can’t carry the show, and neither can Nick or Greg.
I disagree with your negative comments Petersen is long gone even
though I enjoyed it when he was on. Fishburne did a good job sorry to ee him go. Would like to see Nick in charge and Greg his second in command.
Precious. Longtime fan
They messed up putting CSI on Wednesday 10/9c. Law & Order: SVU still has a pretty large fanbase.
Chris Meloni isn’t back next season, and Mariska Harigtay is only back part time . . . SVU’s fanbase is going to plummet.
SVU is a great show but the fanbase is going to drop too with Mollony(SP) leaving. Sad day for both show. Bring back Billy Petersen.
CSI will still kill SVU next season. With or without Melonhead on SVU, CSI was still going to kill them in the ratings. Fishburne not coming back will only make the CSI ratings soar even more.
Thank you! Whether it was his wooden performance or the awful writing, or both, Dr. Ray Langston was where charisma went to die. Any episode with his character in the center was virtually unwatchable.
I agree. It is a shame really. He’s a good actor. It just didn’t work on CSI for him. It felt like the Ray show, yet what they gave him to wprk with didn’t work.
Much like a certain fine actress that just didn’t work out in Star Wars despite her credentials before and after.
Though I have shared the same view, after having seen the SW prequels a few times and reading a defense of Christensen’s work there, I’ve come to the conclusion that Portman and Christensen played those roles exactly the way Lucas wanted — and it was never going to be any different, no matter who had the roles. Besides the story transcends the performances anyway.
That was really my poin though. Both Fishburne and Portman did exactly as they were required. What came across on screen really wssn’t their fault.
“…Whether it was his wooden performance or the awful writing, or both, Dr. Ray Langston was where charisma went to die. Any episode with his character in the center was virtually unwatchable….” I agree totally and I do LIKE Fishburne and think he is a talented actor…but this role did not suit him at all. I am surprised that so many people liked him in this role.
The show still had a strong cast and I hope they don’t introduce any new “lead” characters.
They did Herb, and it’s Ted Danson. Season 12 first show was horrific. CSI is dead and gone. As much as it kills me to say that.
I was never aware that he was ever on the show. All I saw was a bloated corpse walking around in the background cashing those checks.
Maybe they can get Topher Grace to replace him.
I am thrilled beyond belief at this news. He never fit in. Maybe now CSI can get back to being the CSI that became so popular rather than being the Ray Langston Show!
ITA that he never fit in on CSI.. I just didn’t like the way he dealt with the other characters. I think we all missed Grisson who brought a sense of curiosity and training and knowledge to the role..
OMG, Laurence Fishburne was the best character as Raymond Langston, to ever be on CSI. he meshed and bonded with the team immediately and them with him. His delivery of his dialogue was perfect. That deep seductive voice those exotic sexy eyes. I drooled everytime I watched him. WP was so one dimensional, and a bit boring. And this man so multi-dimensional and so many different layers to the role he played. What really happened. He just got through saying “how much he enjoyed being on the show and “I’m having a great time and how he “loved it” I don’t think I can watch it anymore, this really sucks big time. All the episodes he was in were better because of his presence.. I loved him and still do… DAMM IT~~~~~
Look you are so offensive. You knew when they put Sarah and Grissom together, the show was through.
At least when Petersen left, he had the good sense to become a producer on the show, where he put better quality episodes on. The show did not revolve around Ray. The cast work well together, and I thought that was a high tribute to Petersens imput and ability to choose better scripts. They were not the best scripts, but better.
You know you are dealing with bad writer’s who have to fill in scenes with sex, and perverts. The world is not all about that, but I suppose where they live that is life. Their thinking, much like the jerks posting, who think that Fishburn is not worth it. Let me just say this, you are sitting there writing about something that you never took time to study. If you had any knowledge at all, it was time for the show to dry up because they write in a box. Much like how you live. Anyway, the writer’s are not fresh or interesting. We all watch the show because of the cast and to see their interaction, not about the script. The script always sucked. We love the CAST, and it’s not just one, we love them all.
The only place Fishburn didn’t fit is in your looser mind! Besides, which of you has more money than he does. Which one of you are being sought out to fill the role? And which one of you can act, HALF as good? Any body, any, body? What? What?
I thought so, you sad FARTS!
You think you’re impressing anyone with your spewing, LogicalThinker? If you’re such a logical thinker, can you not come up with a more appropriate response than to call people “sad farts”? Such language only invalidates everything you have to say and emphasizes your ability to communicate in a constructive manner.
Excuse me, there was a typo in my previous post. It should’ve read, “Such language only invalidates everything you have to say and emphasizes your INability to communicate in a constructive manner”.
William Petersen did not become a producer after he left. He has always been a producer from day one of the show.
logical thinker you are right sad news for every one else. danson will not save csi its soon will be cancel.
I saw an early test screening o f CONTAGION and he’s amazing in the film and it’s Soderbergh’s best since TRAFFIC.
First of all I’m sorry if I upset anyone but I preferred watching CSI with Laurence Fishburne rather than William Petersen. It seemed (to me anyway) that Laurence added something to the show. I’ve felt he had more of a onscreen presence than William.
I didn’t miss Petersen at all. I really liked Fishburne on this show and I am sorry to see him go. This show is on its last legs, though.
Peterson has been pretty clear that he’s not coming back, and Fishburn’s character was just too stolid…Jeff Goldblum seems almost too obvious (and likely too quirky)…Ray Liotta might be good for this…
Bring in another big name? I hope not! That was part of the problem with Fishburne. Big name actor expecting big screen time and screwing over the good team chemistry that made CSI so great.
Ray Liota is not good for a role as a CSI. He has put the hit on too many wise guys!
But, Ray Liota as a bad boy detective, or a Crime boss, sure. There are a lot of people who can come in and do stuff to make the show better. Fishburn leaving won’t make me stop watching any more than Petersen leaving. What will make me stop watching is if Nick, Greg, and Catherine left. To me that spells the end. I have never missed an episode, so, It would be hard to let it go. I just like the chemistry of the cast. You don’t see that on many shows.
Seeing as the current season ended in something of a cliffhanger, with the question of whether Dr. Langston would be prosecuted for killing Nate Haskell, Mr. Fishburne would appear to have thrown the writing staff something of a curve ball.
The show is running on fumes. I agree that Fishburne never really fit in as a series regular. Last season CSI was barely attracting 10M viewers last season and was in the mid to low 2′s in the demos. It’s a really old skewing show now. Here’s a suggestion to CBS, Make season 12 the final season. Next, Open your checkbooks and sign William Petersen to a 10-13 episode arc and pay him whatever he wants. Your guaranteed to bring back alot of fans who bailed after he left and the show can end with some dignity.
Really? No one has suggested Charlie Sheen yet?
He’s a fine actor but the character just dragged down ‘CSI’ – I know it was the writers but the Nate/Ray story just sucked the life out of last season.
That’s a shame, I got pulled back in to CSI because of Fishburne and really liked what they did with the character. Haskell was a well written nemesis and that storyline had me hooked. I think it’s time for the show to go out gracefully & take the other two with it too.
Maybe the producers were so desperate to find someone to replace William at that time, that they forgot the fact that the success of this show was not brought by one single person, it was the team and their unique interactions that kept the audience.
Once Laurence was on the show, everything evolved around him. Catherine was better off with romance with Vartann, Hodges with his breakup with Wendy, which didn’t last for 3 episodes… whereas no specific characters development in the rest of the cast.
Hope the producers will learn from the success of NCIS and the failure of CSI(S10&11).
Laurence is great in his movie but not in this show, with this role…
Can we have Bill back? really missing the old CSI team…
Whatever happened to his adaptation of The Alchemist? Is it in Weinstein hell? I bailed on this show many years ago. How many times can you see a woman hacked to pieces?